S.E.N - What does it mean?

[RaspberrySheep]

Hello everybody

First of all, a huge apology in advance of my ignorance here, but I have literally come straight onto Mumsnet to ask, rather than do any other internet research and scare myself silly!

My lovely DS (8) has been given a Statement of Educational Needs (SEN?) yesterday. He has DCD / Dyspraxia and I always thought it presented on its own, despite knowing that this usually comes along side another condition. He was diagnosed with ADHD last week.

Please could anybody tell me if there are any benefits to having a SEN? Clearly the best benefit is that he is now recognised as having this condition and the school are able to accommodate the additional needs he has, but my mum says that he may also now be entitled to a free bus pass? I'm embarrassed to be asking such a question, but I'm a single mum and money is quite tight.

DS's condition is mild and he has always been DS to me, so I am ashamed to say I have never picked up on him being 'different' to any other child. Now I understand he has a few extra needs, I want to be able to claim anything I can to be able to give him the assistance that he may need.

I'm sorry if I have my terminology all wrong here, I'm still in a bit of a daze about it and it's all new to me, so I really hope I haven't offended anybody by using the wrong words or coming across as 'money grabbing', I just really want what's best for DS.

On a more postive note, I have been really happy with the way the clinic and the school have helped both DS and I and I know that by me working closely with the school and the clinic, DS will be given all the support he needs [hsmile]

Thank you.

Do you mean that he's been given a diagnosis of some further Special Educational Needs yesterday, rather than a statement?

Don't be embarrassed to ask anything -- it's a confusing time.

Hi and elcome: i have a child with dyslexia and dyspraxia too, though he doesn;t get much help- that is more my fault as I also have 2 with ASD and it's been a struggle to priortise.

SEN means special educational needs; in a legal and LEA context it covers the whole range from dyslexia to severe life threatening disability, On MN SEN and SN tend to separate with SN meaning disabled and SEN the more academic side, a dx such as your son has could land him in either dependeant on how he presents.

Whn your child is diagnosed that is what we refer to as 'dx'; then you ro schoolc an apply for a legal document called a statement, statements are the only legal guarantee of help your son will get, they also entitle you to such things as first choice for a suitable school at transition etc.

But you might be eligible for DLA (disability living allowance...)